Classic Motorcycle Build

Harley 45 Engine Assembly

After the bottom end was completed and the oil scavenger pump in place, the idler and cam gears were next to be installed on the Harley 45 engine.
Starting at the flywheel mark, the gears in cam case need to be installed correctly in order to properly transmit power to the four cam gears, crankcase breather, timer, oil pump and generator.

Harley 45 Generator

To prevent too much oil from getting on the generator ball bearings, Harley generators have an oil deflector, sometimes called a slinger.
Two different kinds of oil slingers are found on the 45 motor; one works with the two-brush generator and the other on the three-brush generator.

On a three-brush generator, the oil deflector requires a spring between it and the bearing to hold it up against the gear.
There is a spring-loaded breather on the inside of the Harley 45 cam cover that rides on the end of the gear.

The oil deflector used on later two-brush generators has a built-in collar. The gear is drawn onto the shaft with a nut until it pinches the oil deflector tight against the inner race of the ball bearing. This sets the location of the gear and locks the armature in place.
The oil deflector on two-brush generators also sets the location of the gear.

Three-Brush to Two-Brush Generator

When converting from a three-brush generator, you will need to enlarge the mounting holes on the early cam cover from 1/4" to 5/16".
This is easily done with a 5/16" drill bit.
You will also need a pair of 5/16" mounting bolts, and the correct generator gear and oil deflector.

If you don't want to drill out your cover, you can install a pair of helicoil inserts into the case threads.
This allows you to re-use the smaller 1/4" bolts.

Harley 45 Cam Cover

There is an early (up to 1958) style and a late (1959 and up) style cam cover for the Harley 45.
The gear cover changed with the rear intake cam, so you need to use an early cam with an early cover, or a late cam with a late cover.

Harley 45 Cams

Servi-car cam gears are marked 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.
The 2G cam is only for 1959-1973 models. It is part #25502-59 and has a .575" bearing surface at the cover end.
Early Servi-cars require part #25502-37 which was in use through 1958.

Install Cam Gears

After the idler gear and generator are in place and checked for proper clearance, the cams can be installed.
Most 45 engines left the factory with one steel shim washer behind each cam, but there are some engines that will require two shims.
Hopefully you took notice of this during the disassembly process.

Install the cams in this order: rear exhaust, front intake, rear intake, and front exhaust.
Remember to install the shims behind them.
Tip: if the motor won't be started for several weeks, coating the cams with assembly lube is a good idea.

Harley 45 Cam Timing

Cam timing is critical to a good running engine.
First, set the flywheel mark in the window.
The pinion gear will only go on one way. Align all cam timing marks off the pinion gear mark.
The cams are aligned to each other by lining up the notches on the outer face.

They notches on the cams won't line up exactly - that's how they are. After all cams are in place, slowly rotate the engine.
Once they all turn together, you can see if they are lined up correctly.

Temporarily install the cam cover with a gasket. The gasket is part of the end play you'll be checking.
Use a soft mallet to tap the cover on if necessary, and install three or four bolts.

Once the cam cover is on, slowly turn the motor over by hand.
Check for binding or excessive play. If there is either, stop and find out why.

Shim clearance can now be checked. With the tappets not yet installed, slide a feeler gauge down into the open tappet-block hole.

If all is well, remove the cam cover and lay the engine on it's left side.
Pour about a 1/4 pint of engine oil over the cams for lubrication.
Install the cam cover with a new gasket using a non-hardening sealant.
Install and tighten all cam cover bolts.

Install Oil Feed Pump

After the cam cover is on, the oil feed pump can be mounted.
First install the (new) gasket, then slide the oil feed pump onto the three studs, then hand-tighten the three nuts and washers.
While turning the engine over slowly by hand, press lightly on the pump until you feel the drive cogs mesh and drop into place.
Tighten the three nuts and washers.